We all know Oklahoma City has had some offensive issues this season. OKC ranks 20th in offensive efficiency (105.9), which is an improvement from last year where OKC finished ranked 29th (102.9). So it’s gotten better. But at times, the Thunder’s offensive execution can be extremely elementary. To be honest, the entire offensive scheme isn’t complicated. I would say it hinges on three general principles: 1) Get Kevin Durant the ball in a position to score 2) Create off a drive and score/kick out to a shooter and 3) Get Kevin Durant the ball in a position to score.

But in more than one circumstance, bad execution has cost them late in the fourth quarter. Kevin Arnovitz detailed some of this in far better fashion than I could, but I wanted to dip my toe in the water and take a closer look.

So against Denver, I wanted to highlight five different possessions, all from the second quarter (thanks to reader Johnny for the grabs). Let’s take a peek. Keep Reading…

Kevin Durant’s January numbers: 32.1 ppg, 8.1 rpg, 3.2 apg, 52 percent from the field, 53 percent from 3 (!), 90 percent from the line. So if the Bird Line is 50-40-90, Durant was 50-50-90 for January. Forget a 180 shooter, KD was a 195. Reader Dylan also tossed out, KD scored 481 points on 295 shots. That’s 1.63 points a shot. If LeBron’s thing is “Witness,” we need a Nike thing for KD. Watcher? Beholder? Testifier? Attestant? Someone rule on this.

KD sits down with Dean Blevins. KD says he’s not surprised one bit by the Thunder’s solid record. Also, Durant says while a scoring title would be nice and awards would be cool, he ultimately wants to be known as a champion. Atta boy. (And he reiterates AGAIN that he wants to be in Oklahoma City.) Keep Reading…

First, the important thing: Oklahoma City beat Golden State 112-104, improved to 26-21 and is back tied for eighth in the Western Conference playoff race. That’s the important thing. But the awesome thing from this game?

Kevin Durant. Holy crap in a basket, Kevin Durant.

Often times, when KD is playing well, I try and remind myself about how he’s just 21 years old. I try and remind myself that he’s in his third year. I try and remind myself that we ain’t really seen nothing yet. But nights like this, Durant just punches you in the eye with his awesomeness and says forget about the future. IT IS NOW KIDS. How’s this taste: 45 points on 16-21 shooting, 11-11 from the free throw line, 2-3 from deep and oh yeah, here’s 11 boards, two assists and two steals. No words to quantify this. None.

Obviously, there is a disclaimer on this performance because it was against the ole defense of the Warriors. But to miss only five shots in a basketball game and score 45 points? As Simmons put it, “List of current/retired players who coulda pulled that off = short.” That’s high praise, but it’s truth. And again, the best part? He’s only 21 years old and he’s not close to a finished product yet. Who’s excited for the next 10 years? Keep Reading…

I really like playing the Warriors. First of all, they aren’t that great. Second, they don’t play very good defense so there’s potential for big stat lines for Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook and Jeff Green. And third of all, they’re kind of fun to watch. Keep Reading…

(Hola angels. Thanks for your support of Daily Thunder. Shine on you crazy diamonds.)

I think this video fits the true spirit of this post. You could say this is an actual cartoon of sorts, or at least appeals to the demographic that still likes cartoons: eight-year-olds and Royce. And while this video about Rumble the Bison is old, I’ve never seen it. My favorite part is how they paint Rumble as a loner wandering the earth until he found a home with basketball players. I’m just thankful in his travels, Rumble didn’t stumble across John Dunbar, amirite? Anyway, soak up the story of Rumble while basking in the glory of that big win over the Nuggs last night.

It’s not how I envisioned Oklahoma City finally beating Denver. I pictured a full, roaring Ford Center. I pictured Carmelo and KD dueling down the stretch, trading buckets in a pressure packed fourth quarter and in the end, the Thunder making one big play to win it.

I didn’t really see it coming as a 17-point blowout, 101-84, in front of a sparse crowd with no ‘Melo. But all the same, it’s equally as sweet.

The Thunder needed this game. Not only to stop the three-game skid, but moreover, to restore some confidence in themselves. The lost the close ones last week. Then they dropped a bad one to Chicago two nights ago. People were starting to wonder if they were slipping. And though there was no Carmelo Anthony, OKC put a whipping on the division-leading Nuggets. It’s a good, good win for many reasons. I know ‘Melo didn’t play, but that hasn’t hurt the Nuggets in keeping their eight-game win streak going. So while that’s a fair point, the fact OKC was focused and fired up is what really proved to be the difference.

Everything clicked tonight. The offense was crisp. The defense was excellent. OKC rebounded the ball as good as ever. There was a real focus to the team tonight. Kevin Durant notched his 20th straight game with 25 points or more as he scored 30 on 12-19 shooting, but Russell Westbrook was quietly awesome. He had 12 points (5-11 shooting), eight assists, three rebounds and just two turnovers. And after J.R. Smith started hot from 3 (started 4-5, finished 5-10), Westbrook really turned up the heat on Smith playing some really solid defense. Keep Reading…

(Channeling Les Miles) This is NOT what we wanted. It’s NOT what we planned, today. It’s not ideal for Oklahoma City to be 0-1 on this homestand facing a potential four-game losing streak against the very talented Nuggets. But if there is good news, it’s that Carmelo Anthony might not play. The Denver Postsays he likely won’t. (One reader emailed me when Tim Duncan didn’t play in OKC and said, “The evolution of an Oklahoma City NBA fan: Instead of being upset the other teams star isn’t playing, we now celebrate when he’s sitting out.” Yep, perfect example with ‘Melo tonight. Don’t play ‘Melo. Rest that ankle.) Keep Reading…

KD reacts to being an All-Star: “Man, today’s been an unbelievable day for me, my family and the Thunder organization. I’ve been selected to play in my first-ever All-Star Game! This was something I’ve dreamed about since I was growing up and I’m just so fortunate to be named a Western Conference All-Star. Hopefully I’ll be able to maintain this level of play. I just really appreciate my teammates and my family for giving me support and thank the good man above for giving me these talents and this work ethic.”